The crowd joins the chant and Trick looks around, a slow smile curving his lips. For just a moment, his eyes meet mine. I look away before Brent notices.
“Yeah!” Collin yells as the crowd starts clapping.
I look back toward the front. Trick is walking onto the stage. Someone hands him a bass guitar and he puts the strap around his neck. He takes the pick and starts testing the tune of the instrument. The crowd quiets until they hear the familiar chords of Cat Scratch Fever begin to emerge. Then they go wild.
Walking to the front of the stage, Trick strums out the notes effortlessly. When his solo riff is over, the rest of the band chimes in, beginning with the heavy beat of the drum. Girls start screaming, guys start hollering and I can’t help but smile.
I’m really beginning to enjoy myself when, all the way across the throng of partiers, Trick looks up and his eyes meet mine. I am a deer caught in the headlights. I am a girl charmed by the cobra. I am breathless and mesmerized.
And then he grins.
Just like that, I’m his. Whether he knows it or not.
CHAPTER EIGHT-Trick
“I want Titan looking his best. A trainer with a syndicate out of Alabama is coming at the end of the month to look at him. I happen to know they pay top dollar for a bloodhorse and Titan is our best two year-old.”
I look at my boss, Jack Hines. His dark brown hair is styled like a man who uses hairspray, his fingernails are clean like a man who gets a manicure and his eyes are hard like a man who gets what he wants however he can.
Jack Hines. Self-made man. Millionaire. Champion breeder. Dumb ass.
“Yes, sir,” I say as I continue to rub down Revere.
“They’re willing to look at Knight-Time. I think if they give him a shot, they’ll want him. Maybe even over Titan.”
I nod. I totally disagree, but I nod anyway. “What about Highland Runner. Have you given any more thought to—”
He shakes his head once. I’ve only worked here six months, but I know what that means. I grit my teeth.
“That horse is still too wild. If I make the decision to race, it will be one from my own stock, like Knight-time. If he’s not sold before then, that is. If anything, I foresee Highland Runner ending up staying here to stud. His bloodlines are good but… These are the kinds of things you need to learn, Patrick, the subtle nuances of this business that will serve you well if you continue on in it.”
The jab hits its mark. He’s putting me in my place. He’s the expert; I’m not. I get it. He knows how much faith I have in Runner. And he thinks I’m crazy.
But I think he’s blinded by money. Because Runner didn’t cost him much, Jack thinks he’s worthless. He couldn’t be more wrong.
“Just have them ready,” he commanded, turning and stalking away in that arrogant way he has. Before he gets out of the stable, he stops and hollers down to me. “My daughter is home from school now. She likes to ride most every day. See that you help her if she needs it. But nothing else.”
What the hell?
“Yes, sir.”
I’m a hired hand, which means I’m also a ra**st? His daughter is probably all of, what, sixteen and goes to, like, a prep school or something? No doubt she’s as arrogant and detestable as he is. Like I’d touch that with a ten-foot pole!
I finish rubbing down Revere and take him back to his stall. As I pass Runner’s stall, I feel even more frustrated.
Dammit!
“Sooty!” I yell for the breeder slash trainer. I hear his faint voice from somewhere at the other end of the stable. “I’m taking Runner out.” He mumbles something else. It doesn’t sound like a “no,” so I grab Runner’s tack.
I took up with Highland Runner the first time I met him. He’s an amazing horse. Yeah, he’s a little wild and unruly, but he’s come a long way since I’ve been here. All he needs is a firm hand and someone who’s not afraid to ride him. And I’m just that person.
After I get him saddled, I lead him out to the round pen to put him through his paces. I shorten his normal routine so I can ride him out in the fields. The Hines ranch has acres and acres of smooth grassy fields perfect for riding the two year-olds and breeding horses, and for letting them out to run alone.
I let us through the gate and get back onto Runner. His muscles twitch. He knows what’s coming. And he’s ready for it.
Runner responds to me perfectly, just like he always does. Jack Hines just never takes the time to watch him. Not really, anyway. His mind is set and that’s that.
But I know. I know Runner. I know his potential. It’s a gut feeling I have. And my gut is rarely ever wrong.
Just like my gut wasn’t wrong about Cami.
Cami.
Like she has a dozen times over the last day and a half, she pops into my head. It happens at the strangest times.
I smile. That girl…
Her boyfriend better keep an eye on her. If I get a hold of her again, I’m liable to steal her away.
I smile. The thing is, I think I probably could. That’s just not really my way. Now if she leaves him for me…that’s a whole other story.
Just the thought of those lush lips and that tight little body makes the crotch of my jeans shrink about two sizes. And that’s not a good thing when I’m on a horse’s back.
I guide Runner back to the stable. From the corner of my eye, I see a flash of dark copper catch the sun. I feel the grin tugging at my lips when I see none other than the object of my daydream walking toward the stable with her friend.
How did she find me?
Doesn’t matter. She found me. Now she’s as good as mine.
When Runner reaches the stable doors, I hop off his back and walk him the rest of the way in. I stop him in front of his stall so I can bathe him and groom him after his run.
I peel my sticky shirt off and run my fingers through my damp hair.
“This is gonna feel good for both of us, huh, Runner?” I say to the horse. He puffs once. I always get a little wet when I bathe the horses. Guess I’m just a messy guy.
I get everything ready and I’m just starting to hose him off when she comes into the stable. I look up and she’s watching me. She looks fresh-faced and sexy as hell in her worn out blue jeans, boots and little red shirt. Her hair is wound up in some sort of loose bun type thing on top of her head. I can imagine her taking it down and shaking that red mess free, real slow. Makes me want to pound something just thinking about it.
The strange thing is, she looks confused. Like she’s surprised to see me.